Loose leaf binder



Oct. 26, 1937.

P. O. UNGER ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Jan. 21, 1955 s Shts-Sheet 1 P- m INVENTOR. 1 9 PAUL 0. u/vem F950 0. WEDGE I By )M NQQQQWRWQ W A TTORNE Y.

Oct. 26, 1937. P. o. UNGER ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Jan. 21, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a l l I l l I I I l 1 QE wa MNw W mww ATTORNEY.

Ot. 26, 1937. P. o. UNGER ET AL LOOSE LEAF B INDER Filed Jan. 21, 1935, s sheets-sheets 1M EN TOR PAUL O. U/VGER F950 0. WEDGE Z2;

I" um A TTORNE Y.

Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES LOOSE LEAF BINDER Paul 0. Unger, Glen Ellyn, and Fred D. Wedge,

Lombard, Ill., assignors to Wilson-Jones Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation setts of Massachu- Application January 21, 1935, Serial No. 2 666 18 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders of .the visible .index type wherein a plurality of relatively short sheets are arranged in vertically over- 7 lapping relationship, having means to shift one 5 or more sheets within the binder relatively to the rest of the sheets, without disturbing the relationship between the sheets being shifted.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for facilitating the insertion, removal and 10 rearrangement of one or more sheets in a loose leaf binder without disturbing the arrangement .of the remainder of the sheets. It is a further object of this invention to provide means for preventing movement of the back sections of the binder from closed to fully open position in one continuous movement. It is a further object of this invention to provide novel means for mounting one prong carrying plate in the binder so as to permit shifting of said prong carrying plate longitudinally of the binder. It is a further object of this invention to provide positive means for stopping the shifting prong carrying plate in a predetermined normal position. It is,

a further object of this invention to provide means to prevent the closing of the back sections when the shifting prong carrying plate is out of its normal position. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the invention, with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of the structure;

35 Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inside of one end of the binder;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing one end of the binder in open position;

Figure 4 is a detail elevation of the mechanism permitting shifting of the prong carrying plate;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of one end of the loose leaf binder in closed position, with parts broken away to facilitate illustration of the structure;

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the binder in intermediate position;

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the binder in 7 open position; and 59 Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the binder in closed position.

In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of back sections pivotally secured together by means of a hinge 4. The back section 2 i s pp i os d by m an of a pair of end caps 5 and 6,"and the back section 3 has its ends closed by similar end caps '1 and 8. The back sections 2 and 3 maybe 'provided with a protective covering of fiber, leather, or :fabric, as indicated at 9,.Figure 1.

A pair of juxtaposed bars l0 and vl'l is rigidly secured to the end cap 5' by means of a plurality of rivets l2. The bars I 0 and ll extend beyond the inner extremity of :the back section 2 so as to project into the back section3 when the back sections are in' closed position. The bar H1 is provided with a pair of notches l3 and '14 forming abutments for a purpose hereinafter described. The bar II is provided with a similar abutment 15. The bar II has an integral extension I6 providing a curved abutment "spaced from the portion of the bar upon which the abutment I5 is located. The curved abutment Il may be separate from the bar H and may be secured to the back section 2 in any suitable manner. It is preferred to form it integrally with the bar l'l only'because of the resultant economy in manufacture and assembly.

A pawl member I8 is keyed to a tube or rod 32 which is pivotally secured to the end, caps I and 8 by means of screws l9 and. 3|. Thetpawl member I8 is provided at'its edge with a tooth 20 adapted to engage the abutments l3 and M to latch the back sections 2 and 3 in closed or intermediate positions, respectively. The latching means [8 is provided with a handle or lever 2| operable by finger pressure to disengage the tooth 20 from either abutment l3 or M. A coiled spring 22 has one end positioned on a pin 23 projecting from one wall of the back. section3. The pawl member I8 is provided with a short projection 24 around which the other end of the coiled spring 22 is positioned. The coiled spring 22 exerts constant pressure against the pawl member l8, so that whenever the finger pressure against the lever 2| is released, the tooth 2D is urged against the bar l0 so that the tooth 20 becomes engaged with the abutment=l3 or M as soon as either abutment moves into registration with the tooth 20.

The opposite end of the binder is secured in closed or intermediate positionby means of a bar 25, similar to the bar l0, having abutments 26 and 21, engageable with a tooth 28 formed on a pawl member 29, similar to the pawl member I8. The bar 25 is rigidly secured to the end cap 6 by means of rivets 30.

29 is keyed to the tube or rod 32 adjacent the end cap 8. The connection between the pawl membore 1 3 and 29 is rigid so that both pawls move The pawl member 7 in unison. The pawl member 29 is provided with a lever 33, similar to the lever 2|, and a coiled spring 34, similar to the coiled spring 22. Accordingly, it is possible to release the latching means from either end of the binder to provide maximum convenience in moving the back sections towards open position. It will be understood that the notches I3 and I4 and the notches forming abutments 26 and 21 are so shaped that the back sections may be moved towards closed position without the necessity of releasing the latching pawl members Hi and 29.

A pawl member 35 is pivotally secured to the pawl member l8. The pawl member 35 is provided at one end with a tooth 35 adapted to engage the abutment |5 on the bar to help retain the back sections in intermediate position. The pawl member I8 is provided with an aperture or recess 3'! and the pawl member 35 is provided with a projection 38 adapted to engage said recess 31 to prevent normal pivotal movement of the pawl member 35 with respect to the pawl member l8.

- The curved abutment overlies the pawl member 35 and is so designed that when the back sections 2 and 3 are. moved to closed position, the pawl member 35 hits against the curved abutment l1 and the projection 38 is disengaged from the aperture or recess 31. The curved abutment engages the pawl member 35 when the back sections 2 and 3 are in closed position, so. that if pressure is applied to either of the levers 2| or 33 to release the latching members I8 and 29 from the notches l3 and 21, respectively, when the back sections are in closed position, the pawl member 35 cannot be lifted with the pawl member I8. The pawl 35 is mounted loosely to fall by gravity when the parts 31 and 38 are disengaged. Accordingly, the tooth 35 will engage the abutment l5 so that it is impossible to move the back sections 2 and 3 from the closed position to the open position without pausing at the intermediate position.

It is necessary only to move the back sections to intermediate position to obtain convenient space for reference or posting. If it is desired to move the back sections to openposition to add or remove a sheet, it is necessary only to release the lever 2| or 33 for an instant after the pawl 35 has been moved laterally away from the curved abutment I1, and then to press the lever again to release the tooth 36 from the abutment l5, and the back sections may be moved to full open position. The bars l0 and H are so shaped that when the lever 2| is released, after the pawl 35 has been moved laterally from the curved abutment ll, the spring 22 forces the pawl member l8 against the bar It, and the projection 38 is automatically engaged with the recess 3?. Pressure applied to either lever 2| or 33 after the projection 38 and the recess 3'! are engaged will cause the pawl member 35 to lift with the pawl member |8 so that both teeth 35 and 26 are moved out of the path of travel of their respective abutments l5 and M.

It is advantageous to provide means to prevent the accidental movement of the back sections beyond the intermediate position because often, when it is desired to open a binder to reference position, accidental opening beyond the desired position will result in spilling the contents of the binder. As will be seen from Figure 6, when the binder is in the intermediate or reference position the prongs are overlapped. Accordingly, a user intending to move the back sections only to intermediate position will probably pay no attention to the sheets. If the back sections accidentally move to open position, the prongs are not overlapped, and if the binder is substantially full, it is very likely that some of the sheets may be spilled.

A box member 39 is secured in theback section 2. The box member 39 includes a central wall 4 5, a wall M'extending at right angles from the wall 45 inwardly towards the hinge member 4, and a wall 42 positioned adjacent one wall of the back section 2 and extending outwardly from the box member at right angles from the opposite end of the wall 55. The wall 4| is provided with a plurality of extensions 43 which are curled to encircle the pintle of the hinge member 4. The outer edge of the wall 42 is bent to form a flanged projection or channel 44. The wall 22 is provided with a plurality of strap members 45 rigidly secured thereto adjacent the channel 34. Each strap member 45 includes a curled extension 45 which encircles the pintle of a hinge d! which secures a cover member 48 to the back section 2. The end sections of the hinge 41 are recessed, as indicated at 41., so that when the covers 48 are closed the hinge sleeves on the covers engage with the hinge sleeves on the back sections and move the back sections to closed position.

The back section 3 has secured therein a box member 49 similar to the box member 33. .The box member 49 includes a central wall 53, and two walls 5| and 52 similar to the walls 5! and 42, respectively. The box member 59 is provided with a flanged projection or channel member 53 and is secured in the back section 3 in the same mannerv as the box member 33 is secured in the other back section.

A flat plate 54 is positioned adjacent the wall 42 with one edge embraced by the channel member 44 and. the other edge abutting the Wall 45. The plate 55 is preferably welded or riveted to the wall '42 to form a rigid connection between the plate 54 and the back section 2. A plurality of sheet retaining prongs 55 is secured to the plate 54 in any suitable manner. The prong carrying plate 54 is provided with a plurality of recesses or apertures 53 to receive the ends of prongs 51 extending from the other back section when the back sections are closed.

A flat plate 58, similar to the plate 54, and having mounted thereon a plurality of sheet retaining prongs 57, is positioned adjacent the wall 52 with one edge embraced by the channel 53 and the other edge abutting the wall 50. The opposite edge of the plate 53 is retained against the wall 52 by means of a plurality of projections 53 struck out from the wall 53. Although it is pre ferred to form the projections 59 from the wall 50, it will be understood that separately formed projections may be secured to the wall 53 in any suitable manner. The projections 59, the wall 50, and'the channel 53 cooperate to prevent vertical or lateral movement of the prong carrying plate 58. However, the prong carrying plate 58 may be shifted longitudinally relative to the prong carrying plate 54. The prong carrying plate 58 is provided with a plurality of recesses or apertures 65 to receive the ends of the prongs 55.

In order for the longitudinal shifting of the prong carrying plate to be of any advantage in rearranging any bank of sheets 6| impaled on the sheet retaining prongs 55 and 57, it is essential that suitable stop means be provided to facilitate retention of the shifting prong carrying plate 58 in predetermined positions so that the movement. of the plate58 from its normal position ,islequal to the spacing between adjacent apertures 62 formed in the sheets, 6!.

The prong carrying plate 58.i's provided with a notch .63 .on the edge which abuts the wall 50. A bar 64 is pivoted to the wall 58 by. means of a stud 65 so as to be swingableina plane substantially perpendicular to the prong carrying plate 58., The bar 64 is provided with a projection 66 adapted to engage the notch 63 when .the prong carrying plate 5.8. is in itsinormal position. The end of the bar 64 on the right of the. pivot point 65 .(as viewed in Figure 4) ,projectsinto', an aperture .61 inthe wall 50 and is urged upwardly by means of a coiled spring 6.8; This constant pressure against the bar 64 tends to hold the projection 65 against the prong carrying plate 58 so. that as soon as the prong carrying plate is moved to its normal position the projection 66 automatically snaps into engagement with the notch 63. a

The end of the bar 64 opposite the end to which the spring 68 is secured is provided with a handle or lever69 so that the bar may be swung away from the plate 58 to disengage the projection 66 from the notch 63. When the projection 66 is held out of engagement with the notch 63, the prong carrying plate may he slid to shift position by pushing anyof the prongs 5! in a longitudinal direction. The end cap I limits the movement of .the plate 58 in one direction and the end .cap 8 limits its. movement in the opposite direction- The length of. the plate 58 is designedso that the amount of longitudinal movement permitted in opposite directions from the normal position of the plate 58,,is equal to the distance between adjacentapertures 62 in the. sheets El. ,The prong carrying. plate 58 is notched .at its opposite. ends, as. indicated at ill, to provide clearance for the coiled springs 22 and 34. v v

A bar, H is slidably secured to the inner side of the wall 5| by means of. aplurality .of studs 72.. Thebar H is providedwith a plurality of elongated slots l3 through .whichthestuds 12 extend. The bar 7! is provided withap'rojeotion M extending at right angles to the .bar .7! so as to lie adjacent the bar. 64, The end of the Wall 50 is notched, ,.as. indicated at 'I 5, .to allow ,clearancefor theflprojection 14 to permit its longitudinal movement.

Theprojection M is provided ,with a curved edge H5 which engages a projection H on the bar (54. The preferred form for the projection ll is a roller, as illustrated in the drawingsvbutany suitableprojection may be used. .Movement, of the bar 64 to disengagethe projection 65 from the notch 63 causes the projection 1 to exertpres: sure against, the curved edge '55 of projection 14 and to move the barfi'ltoward the end cap 1. The bar I! is provided with a .reduce d e nd 18 which normally rests in a recess l9'formed in the end cap 1. Movement of the ba-i lttow'ard the end cap 7 brings a portion of the bar into the path of travel .ofthe bar .l I. Accordingly, when the bar 66 is moved to permit movement DI the prong carrying plat'e 53 to shift position, thebar H preventsmovement ofthe back sections to closed position. A spring 89 (Figure 4) isprovided to automatically retractthe barfll when the bar 64 moves to engage the prqjection 65 in the notch 63 to.hold the prong carrying plate 58 in its normal position.

The prong carrying plate 58 cannot shifted when the" back sections 2 and 33,16 closed because thenjhe barll isin the way of the bar H andfthe projection 66 cannot be disengaged from. the notch 63 without moving the bar H tO- r th e de r M Although we have described our invention in considerabledetail, it will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details maybe modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention. Accordingly, we do not desire to be restricted to theexact construction described-"except as limitedv by the appended claims.

We claim; v 7 I 1. In a loose leaf binder, a pair oi back sections hinged together, a notched member secured toone of s aid back sections, a second notched member juxtaposed against said first mentioned notched member, a pawl secured to said other bacl'i section cooperating with said first mentioned notched member to hold said back sections in either closed or intermediate position, and a sec-' ond pawl associated with said first mentioned pawl adapted to cooperate with said second notched memb'er io'r preventing accidental move ment off said back sections beyond said intermediate position when said back secticns are 7 moved from closed to intermediate position.

tions hinged together, aseries of sheet holding prongs associated with each of said back sections, the prongs of one series being adapted to be Shiftedrelative tothe prongs of the other series, a bar rigidly secured to one. of said back sections and adapted to project into said other back sectionwhen said back sections are in closed position, and means automatically movable into the path of travel of said barwhen said prongs are in shifted positionto preventmovement of said back sections toclosed position when said prongs are shifted position. H 3 In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sec tions hinged together, a pair of juxtaposed bars securedto'; one of said back sections, said bars having a plurality of abutments, a pawl member pivotally securedto said other back section, and a second pawl member pivotally secured to said first pawl member, said pawl members being adapted to engage said abutments to hold said back sections in either closed or intermediate position.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a pawl member pivotally securedto one of said back sections, a second pawl member pivotally secured to said first mentioned pawl member, means on said pawl mem bears to prevent normal pivotal movement of said second pawl member relative to said first'mem tioned pawl member, and means to render said firstmentioned means inoperative when said back sections are. moved to closed position.

5. Inaloose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a pawl member pivotally secured to, one of said back sections, said pawl member being provided with a handle to facilitate operationthereof, a second pawl member pivotally secured to said firstmentioned pawl member, means 'on said pawl members to prevent normal pivotal movement of said second pawl member relative to said first mentioned pawl member, means to render said first mentioned meansinoperative when -said backsections are in closed position, and hileans torender said first mentioned means operative when said pawl handle is released after said back sections have been moved from closed to intermediate position.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a pair of bars secured to one of said back sections, an abutment on one of said bars, a pawl member secured to said other back section, said pawl member being adapted to engage said abutment to hold said back sections in closed position, an abutment on said other bar, a second pawl member carried by said first mentioned pawl member and adapted to engage said last mentioned abutment to hold said back sec tions in intermediate positon, said first mentioned pawl being provided with a handle operable to release said first mentioned pawl from engagement with said first mentioned abutment to permit movement of said back sections from closed position to intermediate position, and means automatically causing said pawl members to become inter-engaged when said handle is released after said back sections have been moved to intermediate position so that said handle is then operable to release said second pawl from engagement with said second abutment to permit said back sections to be moved to open position.

7. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a pair of juxtaposed bars rigidly secured to one of said back sections, a pawl member secured to said other back section, a second pawl member operatively connected to said first mentioned pawl member, said pawl members being arranged so as to ride over said bars when said back sections are moved toward open position, an abutment on one of said bars adapted to engage said second pawl member when the back sections reach an intermediate position, an abutment on the other of said bars adapted to engage the first mentioned pawl member when said back sections are in closed position, a finger piece on said first mentioned pawl member adapted to release said first mentioned pawl member from engagement with said second mentioned abutment, and means on said first mentioned back section to prevent said second mentioned pawl member from moving out of the path of engagement with the abutment on its respective bar during the movement of said first mentioned pawl member from engagement with said second mentioned abutment.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a bar rigidly secured to one of said back sections, a pawl member mounted in said other back section, an abutment on said-bar adapted to engage said pawl member when the back sections are opened to an intermediate position, means to move said pawl member out of the area of possible engagement with said abutment, and means independent of said bar to render said first mentioned means inoperative until said back sections have been partly opened.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a pair of juxtaposed bars rigidly secured to one of said back sections, a pair of juxtaposed pawl members secured to said other back section so as to ride over said bars when said sections are moved toward open position, an abutment on one of said bars adapted to engage its respective pawl member when the sections reach an intermediate position, means to move said last mentioned pawl member out of the area of possible engagement with said abutment, and means to render said first mentioned means inoperative until said back sections have been partly opened.

10. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, an end cap secured to one end of each of said back sections, a bar rigidly secured to one of said end caps, a prong carrying plate mounted in one of said back sections, said prong carrying plate being slidable longitudinally, a'second bar mounted in said one back section, a third bar operatively connected to said second mentioned bar, means to operate said second mentioned bar to move said third mentioned bar into position with one end extending in the path of movement of said first mentioned bar to prevent closing of said back sections, and spring means to move said second and third mentioned bars into position to permit closing of said back sections when said prong carrying plate is moved to a predetermined position.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, an end cap secured to one end of each of said back sections, a bar rigidly secured to one of said end caps, a prong carrying plate slidably secured to one of said back sections, said prong carrying plate having a notch at one edge thereof, a second bar swingable in a plane substantially perpendicular to said prong carrying plate to engage said notch to prevent sliding movement of said prong carrying plate, a third bar slidably mounted adjacent the inner edge of said section, and interengaging projections on said second and third mentioned bars adapted to hold said third mentioned bar in position with one end extending in the path of movement of said first mentioned bar to prevent closing of said back sections when said prong carrying plate is out of its normal position.

12. In a loose leaf binder, a back section, a box member secured to said back section, two adjacent walls of said box member having projections bent therefrom to form a channel, a prong carrying plate slidably mounted in said channel, a bar secured to one of said walls and movable in a plane parallel to the plane of saidwall, and means on said bar engageable with said prong carrying plate to hold said plate in a predetermined position.

13. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a bar rigidly secured to one of said back sections, a prong carrying plate slidable in one of said back sections, a second bar movable into and out of engagement with said prong carrying plate to prevent or to permit sliding of said prong carrying plate, a third bar movable into the path of movement of said first mentioned bar to prevent closing of said back sections when said second bar is out of engagement with said prong carrying plate, and spring means to retract said third bar from the path of movement of said first mentioned bar to permit closing of said back sections when said second bar engages said prong carrying plate to prevent sliding of said prong carrying plate.

14. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, latching means adapted to hold said back sections in either closed or intermediate position, or to permit said back sections to be moved to open position, said latching means including a gravity operated pawl adapted to prevent said back sections from moving from closed position to open position in one continuous movement.

15. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, latching means adapted to hold said back sections in either closed or intermediate position, or to permit said back sections to be moved to open position, a lever for releasing said latching means to permit movement of said back sections from closed to intermediate position, and from intermediate position to open position, and a pawl loosely pivoted on said latching means, said pawl being adapted to prevent said back sections from moving from closed position to open position in one continuous movement.

16. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a bar rigidly secured to one of said back sections, a pawl member mounted in the other back section in the plane of said bar, an abutment on said bar engageable with said pawl member when said back sections are opened to an intermediate position, means to move said pawl member out of the area of possible engagement with said abutment, and an abutment in the plane of said bar and said pawl, said last mentioned abutment being operative to render said first mentioned means inoperative until said back sections have been partly opened.

17. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a bar rigidly secured to one of said back sections, a secon-d'bar movable into the path of movement of said first mentioned bar to prevent closing of said back sections, a third bar mounted in one of said back sections, means on said third mentioned bar engaged with a portion of said second mentioned bar, and means to move said third mentioned bar to cause said first mentioned means to move said second mentioned bar into the path of movement of said first mentioned bar to prevent closing of said back sections.

18. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of back sections hinged together, a prong carrying plate slidably secured to one of said back sections, said prong carrying plate having a notch at one edge thereof, a bar swingable in a plane substantially perpendicular to said prong carrying plate, a projection on said bar movable into and out of engagement with said notch by said swinging movement of said bar, a second bar slidably mounted adjacent the inner edge of said section, an end cap secured to one end of each of said back sections, a bar rigidly secured to one of said end caps, and a second projection on said first mentioned bar adapted to move said second mentioned bar into position with one end extending in the path of movement of said bar on the end cap to prevent closing of said back sections when said first mentioned projection is out of engagement with said notch.

PAUL O. UNGER. FRED D. WEDGE. 

